MLB Ejection 066 - Paul Emmel (2; Tucupita Marcano)

HP Umpire Paul Emmel ejected Pirates SS Tucupita Marcano after the top of the 9th inning of the #Pirates-#Tigers game. With two out and none on, Marcano took a 2-2 fastball from Tigers pitcher Jose Cisnero for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.57, pz 1.44 [sz_bot 1.56 / RAD 1.44 / MOE 1.36]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Tigers had won the contest, 4-0.

This is Paul Emmel (50)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.00 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 66th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 29th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 30 Managers, 29 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is Pittsburgh's 3rd ejection of 2023, T-2nd in the NL Central (STL 4; MIL, PIT 3; CHC 2; CIN 1).

This is Tucupita Marcano's first career MLB ejection.

This is Paul Emmel's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 5 (Brent Rooker; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Detroit Tigers, 5/16/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 065 - James Hoye (1; Domingo German)

HP Umpire James Hoye ejected Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán (failed illegal substance check) in the 4th inning of the #Yankees-#BlueJays game. While performing his MLB-mandated foreign substance inspection in the 4th inning, HP Umpire Hoye discovered an illegal substance on German's hands, resulting in ejection for violating the league's illegal substance policy and Official Baseball Rule 6.02(c)(7), the call was irrecusable.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 2-0.

This is James Hoye (92)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

Related Ejection: MLB Ejection 013 - James Hoye (1; Rocco Baldelli) (4/15/23).

Related Ejection: MLB Ejection 017 - Phil Cuzzi (1; Max Scherzer) (4/19/23).

*OBR 6.02(c)(7): "The pitcher shall not have on their person, or in their possession, any foreign substance."

This is the 65th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 28th player ejection of 2023.

This is the 30th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 30 Managers, 28 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is New York's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL East (NYY 4; BAL, BOS 3; TB 2; TOR 1).

This is Domingo German's first career MLB ejection.

This is James Hoye's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 15 (Rocco Baldelli; QOC = U [Substance]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays, 5/16/23 | Video as follows:

Where in the World is Angel Hernandez - Umpire Scheduling

MLB Umpire Angel Hernandez has not worked a game since April 3 in Chicago, his crew's Opening Day, leading many of you to ask where in the world is he? We discuss how the umpire scheduling process works and sleuth around to discover that a back injury—not anything more nefarious as some of you had posited—is behind this 33-year big league umpire's early season absence.

Many umpires who find themselves on officiating's Injured List for a significant period of time will work rehab games in the minor leagues as they prepare to return; to date, Hernandez has not yet but the general procedure is to hold off until medical clearance and once the doctor says okay, the umpire can begin work to return to the field.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 063-4 - Brock Ballou (2-3; ARI x2)

1B Umpire Brock Ballou ejected Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and pitcher Merrill Kelly (check swing ball two call) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Dbacks-#Athletics game. With none out and none on, A's batter Jordan Diaz attempted to check his swing on a 1-2 slider from Diamondbacks pitcher Kelly, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt and affirmed on appeal by 1B Umpire Ballou as no swing. At the time of the ejections, the Diamondbacks were leading, 5-2. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

These are Brock Ballou (119)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2023.

These are the 63rd and 64th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 27th player ejection of 2023.

This is the 30th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 30 Managers, 27 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is Arizona's 3/4th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the NL West (ARI, COL 4; LAD, SD 2; SF 0).

This is Torey Lovullo's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 12 (Gabe Morales; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Brock Ballou's 2/3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 11 (Bob Melvin; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs Oakland Athletics, 5/15/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 062 - Clint Vondrak (1; Aaron Boone)

HP Umpire Clint Vondrak ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (strike two call to Aaron Judge; QOCN) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Yankees-#BlueJays game. With two out and none on, Yankees batter Judge took a 1-1 slider from Blue Jays pitcher Jay Jackson for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px 0.24, pz 1.41 [sz_bot 1.82 / RAD 1.70 / MOE 1.62]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 6-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

This is Clint Vondrak (116)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 2.52 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 62nd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 29th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 29 Managers, 26 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is New York's 3rd ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL East (BAL, BOS, NYY 3; TB 2; TOR 1).

This is Aaron Boone's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 12 (Larry Vanover; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Clint Vondrak's 1st ejection since Sept 11, 2022 (Derek Shelton; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays, 5/15/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 061 - Dan Bellino (2; Mark Kotsay)

HP Umpire Dan Bellino ejected A's manager Mark Kotsay (ball two call; QOCN) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Rangers-#Athletics game. With one out and one on (R2), Rangers batter Jonah Heim took a 1-1 fastball from A's pitcher Austin Pruitt for a called second ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.73, pz 2.26), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 4-3. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 11-3.

This is Dan Bellino (2)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 0.22 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 61st ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 28th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 28 Managers, 26 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is Oakland's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL West (OAK 3; HOU, SEA 2; LAA, TEX 1).

This is Mark Kotsay's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 19 (Adam Hamari; QOC = Y [Pitch Clock]).

This is Dan Bellino's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 19 (Robert Van Scoyoc; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs Oakland Athletics, 5/14/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 060 - Mike Muchlinski (1; Matt Blake)

HP Umpire Mike Muchlinski ejected Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake (ball four call; QOCY) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Rays-#Yankees game. With two out and two on, Rays batter Josh Lowe took a 3-2 knuckle curve from Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt for a called fourth ball before Rays batter Taylor Walls hit a grand slam against Yankees relief pitcher Albert Abreu. Replays indicate the fourth ball to Lowe was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.78, pz 2.63), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 8-4. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 8-7.

This is Mike Muchlinski (76)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 0.39 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 60th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 7th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 27 Managers, 26 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is New York's 2nd ejection of 2023, T-3rd in the AL East (BAL, BOS 3; NYY, TB 2; TOR 1).

This is Matt Blake's 1st ejection since Aug 7, 2022 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = N-c [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Mike Muchlinski's 1st ejection since June 1, 2022 (Mark Kotsay; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees, 5/14/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 057-59 - Ryan Wills (1-3; PHI-COL)

HP Umpire Ryan Wills ejected Phillies manager Rob Thomson (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 6th, and Rockies pitcher Jake Bird and Phillies DH Bryce Harper (fighting) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Phillies-#Rockies game. In the 6th, with one out and two on, Phillies batter Kyle Schwarber took a 3-2 sinker from Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the midpoint (px -0.24, pz 3.44 [sz_top 3.27 / RAD 3.39 / MOE 3.47]), the call was correct.* In the 7th, after Phillies batter Bryson Stott flied out to end the top of the inning, Rockies pitcher Bird taunted the Phillies dugout, resulting in a benches-clearing incident during which Bird and Harper were ejected.At the time of the ejections, the Rockies were leading, 4-0. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 4-0.

These are Ryan Wills (118)'s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ejections of 2023.

*This pitch was located 0.36 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 57th, 58th, and 59th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

These are the 25th and 26th player ejections of 2023.

This is the 27th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 27 Managers, 26 Players, 6 Coaches.

This is Philadelphia's 4/5th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL East (PHI 5; MIA 4; NYM 2; ATL 1; WAS 0).

This is Colorado's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL West (COL 4; ARI, LAD, SD 2; SF 0).

This is Rob Thomson's 1st ejection since March 22, 2018 (Tom Hallion; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

This is Jake Bird's first career MLB ejection.

This is Bryce Harper's 1st ejection since August 13, 2021 (Ramon De Jesus; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ryan Wills' 1st ejection since Sept 23, 2022 (Patrick Wisdom; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs Colorado Rockies, 5/14/23 | Video as follows:

Kenley Jansen Called for 3 Pitch Timer Violations in Boston

Red Sox pitcher Kenley Jansen was called for three pitch timer violations by HP Umpire Derek Thomas in Boston en route to a St Louis come-from-behind win...what happened? To investigate the clock issue, we look at baseball's Max Scherzer Rule, and the order of operations regarding Set Position and the batter coming alert in the box.

With the BoSox holding a 3-1 lead in the top of the 9th inning against St Louis, closer Jansen began his final frame by walking Cardinals batter Paul Goldschmidt on four pitches before committing a pitch timer infraction during Willson Contreras' at-bat. HP Umpire Thomas actually warned Jansen the first time he violated, but Jansen went on to violate the rule two more times during Contreras' at-bat, leading to another walk.

Despite Thomas and Crew Chief Vic Carapazza meeting with Jansen and other Red Sox players on the mound to inform them of the rule, Jansen once again violated during Lars Nootbaar's at-bat.

The rule violated was the so-called Max Scherzer rule, a pace of play initiative by MLB that prohibits a pitcher from coming set (in Set Position) prior to the batter taking their position in the batter's box and becoming alert to the pitcher (in an imminent hitting stance).

Scherzer Rule Summarized

1) The batter steps into the box and is alert to the pitcher by the eight-second mark of the pitch clock.

2) The pitcher comes set (unless working in Windup Position) and delivers or disengages prior to zero.

Penalty: A pitcher coming set before the batter is in the box and alert is warned the first time they infract. After this, any subsequent violations will result in an automatic ball added to the count.

Because Jansen appeared to go from stretch to set prior to batter Contreras (and later Nootbaar) fully stepping into the batter's box and becoming alert to the pitcher in an imminent hitting stance, HP Umpire Thomas enforced the rule and its penalty: the first infraction resulted in a warning while each subsequent violation resulted in the penalty of an automatic ball added to the count.

Video as follows:

Umpires No-Call Trout's Inadvertent Kick After Scoring

After Angels outfielder Mike Trout slid safely into home plate during Anaheim Los Angeles' win over Cleveland, he inadvertently kicked the the loose baseball away from Guardians catcher Cam Gallagher, no-called by HP Umpire Manny Gonzalez. With trailing runner Brett Phillips taking third on the play, however, was this interference?

The relevant rule here is Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(5), which states, "It is interference by a batter or a runner when any batter or runner who has just been put out, or any runner who has just scored, hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of their teammate."

Like many brands of interference, the standard here is "hinders or impedes" and intent is not a requirement: thus, Trout's accidental kick of the baseball can constitute interference if the umpire rules that the kicking hindered or impeded the fielder from a following play.

Also relevant: Catcher Gallagher dropped second baseman Andres Gimenez' throw before Trout arrived and Angels baserunner R1 Phillips was running on the pitch, appearing to stride into third base before F2 Gimenez retrieved the ball.

The no-call enabled Phillips to score on the next play—a sacrifice fly—and the Angels came back with two runs in the 9th inning to beat Cleveland, 5-4.

Video as follows: